How Can HR Improve the Office Environment - Effective HR Strategy

Why and how art in office spaces is the answer for effective HR strategy?

In 2019, U.S employers spent an average of $3.6 million on HR physical wellness programs

The number yields a noticeable focus on the physical well-being of employees in today's HR strategy. According to Harvard Business Review, excessive wellness facilities such as gyms, meditation rooms, medical centers do not produce an impressive result in HR. On the other hand, researchers found essential perks such as fresh air, natural lights, decorated and personalized working spaces are the most significant elements. This report aims to emphasize the importance of physical office spaces in HR planning. With this insight, we hope to help the office optimizes its areas to increase employee productivity and company identification.

One of the most significant selling points to attract talented applicants is to make them feel valued. The office is more or less like the second home to employees, where they dedicate 8 hours a day to help the business make progress. There is no doubt that an organized, inspiring, and open office is attractive to employees. This means higher application rates, more excited employees, and contributes to reputation and credibility. USA Today's report found that Millennials value happiness at work more than a higher paycheck, therefore, they would be willing to earn less for a workplace they love. Clive Wilkinson, the architect behind Google’s office design at Silicon Valley HQ, in his interview with Dezeen magazine, stressed the need to remove cubicle and bullpen office settings. Of course, not every firm can afford an office like Google. However, the idea here is not space FOR employees to come to work in, but space where employees WANT to come to work in.

 

Millennials would give up $7,600 on average for a better office experience.

Even the most promising candidate can have issues staying motivated in an uninspiring office. It is an HR effort to maintain talents and get the best out of the employees. So, why not start with where they work.

 

What Employees Have vs. What Employees Feel

What employees have refers to skills, knowledge, expertise. On the other hand, what employees feel relates to motivation, commitment, and engagement personally with the firm they work at. So, although with extensive skills, employees might choose not to be productive if they feel negatively toward the organization. Employees may have the skills, but how much are they willing to channel all their gifts? Would they deliver an "acceptable" outcome, or would they do more than being asked? Ultimately, HR strategy has the most significant impact on what employees do on the job. If HR can create affiliation and satisfaction between firms and employees, it can vastly change employees' behavior and dedication toward their jobs and the firm in general.

Last but not least, since offices are the central hub of any firm, investing in office space boosts productivity, an innovative mindset, and enjoyment of work. Dr. Craig Knight's historical study in The University of Exeter’s on the psychological effect of working environments found a difference in productivity between decorated and undecorated workplaces, concluded that employees work 15% quicker than those in an office with bare walls, undecorated or just with the necessary equipment for required tasks. Let’s convert this conclusion into a number! Check out our article, 7 Ways of How Art Can Stimulate Work Place, to learn more about this.

 

"Emotional motivation creates long-term commitment and more sustainable human resources"

Of course, there are numerous ways to create motivation for employees to contribute to the firm at their best effort, which could be increasing wages, insurance, and holiday benefits. However, what happens if the firm is in a financial crisis and can no longer provide such benefits? 

Getting employees' affinity cannot be bought, although it can work, the effects are short-term and unsustainable. Firms need to create emotional investment and motivation in employees as it encourages long-term commitment and sustainable human resources. Art is a subtle way to create an environment in which employees can thrive without significantly increasing cost/employee while saving the company spending since art is tax-deductible.

 

WHAT CAN ART DO FOR YOUR OFFICE?

So now that we’ve established the importance of a hospitable physical space for your employees, let's explore why art is a good candidate for getting the job done.

 

Art is an Affordable Decorative Element in Architecture

There are many elements to invest in that can give a representative office more character: architecture design, wallpaper, and a lighting fixture. These elements, however, take time and continuous maintenance. On the other hand, art adds an extra layer to the formal layout of offices and can be customized in a short period to fit with a company's branding guidelines. Additionally, it helps the office to stand out from other places.

 

Art Increases Productivity

Art is different from other decorative elements because of its symbolic meanings. Because of that, art can stimulate the human brain, making us more critical and empathetic. “Employees in offices with artwork 15 percent quicker than those in offices containing only the things necessary for required tasks” - as concluded by Dr. Craig Knight of The University Exeter’s.

 

Helps Employees Impress Clients

Imagine walking in a conference room with an impressive painting? Art has always carried a prestigious reputation in the design and creative industry, one who knows how to implement and use art converts his/her credibility and authority towards other parties. Understanding this, owning artworks not only makes office become more characteristic but also reinforces the professionality of the one who owns it.

 

The Color Effect

Scientists have found that color can actually send messages to the human mind. For example, blue implements trust and reliability, red is seductive, and green speaks for quality and freshness. Check out our article, Greenspiration: How a Green Colour Palette Can Brighten Up Your Home, to learn more about the color green. With the use of art, a certain type of environment can be created, according to how you want the place to function. 

 

Art Can Be Personalized

As mentioned before, one of the needs of employees when it comes to their well-being is to customize their workspace. With the right choice, art allows employees to participate in customizing their workplace without violating the office's design layout.

 

Boost Corporate Social Responsibility

By investing and owning art from upcoming, emerging artists, the company fulfills its corporate social responsibility. This can also put the firm in a favorable position, stronger tie within the community it locates in. Moreover, they are making an asset investment since these artists will become bigger over time and benefit from the tax deduction. Meanwhile, your office carries an impressive visual display. In the end, it's a Win-Win for all!

 

An Inspiring Office With Art

This report has emphasized the importance of office space for employees, and how art can be an outstanding candidate to get the job done. By investing in office space, firms attract more talents, creating an affiliation with employees that money cannot buy. Using art to design office spaces not only benefit firms internally but also gives firms a great local reputation by supporting emerging artists or the local art market. So, now, the question is, are you ready to dive into the world of art and get the best out of it?

 

If you want to know, even more, check our more detailed guide on how to buy art for yourself and for your office. We are always here to help you to find the right artwork, you can book an appointment with us, and remember, enjoy yourself while in the process!

 

 

 

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